Plateau State Government has begun partnership with the Nigerian Immigration service, NIS, to increase its efforts in tackling insecurity and ensure peaceful habitat in the area.
Governor Caleb Muftwang disclosed that his administration is keen on collaboration with the NIS to strengthen border management, intelligence gathering and internal security across the area, disclosing that effective management was becoming increasingly important in addressing evolving security threats, combating transnational crimes and ensuring public safety.
Mutfwang gave the assurance on Thursday while receiving the Plateau State Comptroller of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mary Abang, during a courtesy visit at the New Government House in Little Rayfield, Jos, describing the NIS as a vital institution in safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“It is the responsibility of government, through the appropriate agencies, to protect the sovereignty of Nigeria and guarantee the security of lives and property,” Muftwang said.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Plateau State, I pledge our unwavering collaboration and support to enhance the effectiveness of the Nigerian Immigration Service in the discharge of its constitutional mandate,” the governor added.
The executive head pledged the support of the Plateau State Government in enhancing the effectiveness of the Service in carrying out its constitutional mandate
He stressed the need for stronger intelligence sharing between the state government and the Immigration Service, particularly at the grassroots level, and urged officers deployed across the 17 local government areas to remain vigilant and work closely with other security agencies.
The governor also assured the command of continued support to improve its operational environment and enable officers to discharge their responsibilities more effectively.
Abang commended Mutfwang for what she described as his unwavering commitment to security and support for security agencies operating in the state.
She disclosed that the command had intensified migration enforcement operations through the profiling, apprehension and repatriation of illegal foreign nationals, while expanding surveillance and intelligence-driven operations across Plateau.
Abang appealed for the governor’s support in providing a permanent command headquarters, operational vehicles and motorcycles to enhance patrols, especially in remote communities and mining locations.
“We appeal for logistics, particularly motorcycles, to enable our officers access remote mining areas. We have discovered instances where some foreign nationals, including Chinese nationals, entered the state with temporary work permits valid for only 30 days but remained illegally for over a year after their permits had expired,” she said.
According to her, the discovery of foreign nationals overstaying temporary work permits highlighted the need for improved surveillance and enforcement.
The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Plateau State Government and the Nigerian Immigration Service to strengthening intelligence-led security operations, promoting lawful migration, combating illegal immigration and safeguarding the territorial integrity of the state.